Actually, I feel a lot of sympathy for the people who choose the winners, knowing that they will be second-guessed and wrong more often than right. In some ways, it is laudable to seek out the young person on the way up, who really needs the funds. But in other ways it is really hard to tell the young prodigy from the flash in the pan, and time will tell its tale of whether that person will have lasting significance or implode under the pressure of expectations. If the choosers reward the people who already have a lifetime of achievement and awards under their belt, those are known quantities. But many onlookers will cavil that the ones at the height of their fame need the prize least. I think Alicia Stallings was a wonderful choice and has continued to demonstrate that she has the kind of talent that outlasts awards. I don't know Ocean Vuong's work well enough to venture a guess about its staying power.
Susan
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